iki and her dreams

2nd day at work, and I hardly remember any names, but at least I begin to know where things are stored. I'm supervised by a very nice and intelligent Italian postdoc, Simone. He's been in the group for over four years and is the one everyone asks for help. He looks a lot like Ali - and like Ali, he talks a lot, jokes a lot, opens all the doors for me, and gets confused if I open a door for him. I shadow him everywhere, asking a lot of questions, but so far he's been incredibly patient.

Today I was introduced to the cell culture lab, where the hoods are divided into weed and non-weed - tumour and primary cells. The hoods are a lot more busy than in Stockholm but everything is very organised, which I appreciate :) Yesterday I got a lab tour and the general safety introduction about lab rules, fire extinguishers etc. I was also warned for animal rights activists. Apparently there has been some manifestations at the uni and a few peaceful ones outside the centre where I'm working now, and they had 'no reason to expect any threats', but I was still warned not to let unknown people into the department, and to be suspicious about unexpected letters and packages. That's quite different from Sweden.

On the way home, I decided to find a new supermarket, but had to give up - there's a lot of small stores but hardly any big ones, at least that I know of yet. I went back to my favourite store Taj. They didn't have everything I needed so I stopped by another store to get soup stock. I realised most soup stocks have lactose in them here. Odd. Anyway, dinner was great: carrot soup with red lentils and lemongrass.

When I got home, Shadow was waiting for me outside the house and Kitkat started purring as soon as we got in. Those sweet cats will save me from the otherwise killing loneliness. Daytime is fine, but I feel very, very lonely at night. The glow in the dark bird hanging in the lamp helps, thanks A <3